Ed posts about the launch of Windows Mobile 5.0 yesterday by Bill Gates.  [Webcast & Powerpoint available here]

Windows Mobile Smartphones are doing much much better overseas than they are here in the US.  It is sad and unfortunate.  I constantly see people drooling over the handsets and services that are being sold and used overseas.  Unfortunately, we have two wireless standards...which causes hardware manufacturers to split R&D between them.  It also appears that US Wireless Carriers are wary of most Windows Mobile OEMs which are in Taiwan.  While international wireless carriers from Orange to Telstra carry Windows Mobile Smartphones and sell them in large numbers.

Ed mentions the Audiovox SMT5600 Windows Mobile Smartphone.  A device that has easily has won more awards and reviews than any other Windows Mobile Smartphone to date.  Sadly, it got caught up in the merger between AT&T & Cingular Wireless.  I have witnessed dozens of people switch to AT&T of all networks simply because of this killer device.  Not to mention the price!  Amazon.com was selling it for under $50 thanks to rebates and service agreements.  Several months later (I believe it was put on hold last November), it is back up and selling in Cingular Wireless stores for a much higher price.  Even Amazon.com is selling it for $150 w/ a service plan.  (check out the reviews on Amazon btw!)

Ah well.  You win some, you loose some.  All in all, this was the first big hit in the US for Windows Mobile Smartphones...and will not be the last.  Hopefully someone will pick up the second generation of this device.

As for me personally...I've been using the Samsung i600 for a year and a half now.  I paid a pretty penny for it at the time and I can't imagine not having all the capabilities that are built into the platform.  There is no doubt in my mind that my next phone will be a Windows Mobile Smartphone.  Previously, part of my decision had been based on the quality and capability of the network I'd be running on.  No doubt, Verizon Wireless has a best in class network.  However, I'm finding that for the most part, I don't use all the potential built into Verizon's network.  What matters for me is getting a WM Smartphone that doesn't break the vault yet is a more capable device than what I have now.  I want to be network agnostic this go around...which is easier than ever now that I can take my # with me to whatever wireless carrier that meets my needs.  Of note - Verizon Wireless is rumoured to carry the successor to my i600 this fall; the Samsung i645.  It runs Windows Mobile 2003SE...a step up from the version my i600 runs.  Hopefully, it can even get upgraded to Windows Mobile 5.0!  I won't get my hopes up just yet.    Despite everything I said above about being network agnostic...the i645 would run on Verizon's next generation EV-Do network!  It would allow me to download data incredibly fast.  I have to wonder if I'd stand by what I said above if I am given the choice between the i645 w/ EV-Do, or a WM Smartphone on another carrier with plain-jane GPRS capability.  I've raced co-workers/friends vs. their WM Smartphones on GPRS...I win hands down every time.  I'm not sure I want to take a step backwards.    I'm told there will be some announcements on upcoming Windows Mobile 5.0 devices next week!

Quote

Talking about Microsoft Launches Windows Mobile 5.0

"At Mobile & Embedded DevCon 2005 in Las Vegas, Microsoft formally introduced Windows Mobile 5.0. The latest release of Microsoft's OS for smartphones and mobile devices offers updated versions of Mobile Office software, as well as Windows Media Player 10 and built-in hard drive support.

Windows Mobile 5.0 also gives manufacturers and wireless companies more control over the look and feel of devices built on the platform. While much of the mobile operating system is targeted at the smartphone market, several enhancements to the software also benefit Pocket PC users."

MS-based smartphones are not doing well at all -- the numbers I've seen put the OS with a single digit marketshare. Maybe WM 5.0 may help to bring more manufacturers onboard. I think the biggest problem is that no-one (at least in the US) has a cheap entry smartphone.

Verizon's Samsung i600 is $450... Cingular has the Audiovox SMT 5600 for $250....meanwhile.. jump ship to Germany and T-Mobile offers several smartphones for 50 euros (about $65). Herein lies the problem.

9am Update: ActiveSync 4.0 is available for download!  YAY!

"The FCC’s already gotten flamed by travelers who apparently aren’t happy about this either, and we may have gained a very significant ally in the form of the Association of Flight Attendants, which is rallying its members against allowing cellphones during flights (they’re worried about people talking on their phones instead of paying attention to safety instructions)."

I can't think of too many people that astutely watch the safety instructions at the start of a flight.  For me it depends on how attractive my nearest Flight Attendant is.    

I haven't flown too much in the last few months (just LGB>LAS and back), but I can't fathom the irritation going over flyover country and listening to Billy Bob talk to his ex.  It is bad enough when the plane lands so everyone and their mother turns on their cell phones.

What do you guys think?  Should the ban on cellular activity during airflight be lifted?  (NO!)

Quote

Flight attendants come out against lifting inflight cellphone ban - Engadget - www.engadget.com.

Gizmodo posted an exclusive bit of news last week that I had missed.  Word of a next gen 6GB mp3 player that more Gizmodo says mirrors the Zen Xtra.  Hard to tell from the blurry (probably streamed media) promo photo they have up, but from here it hardly looks like the Xtra at all.  Click below the quote to check it out...

Quote

Creative Zen Neeon and Other Portable Media: Creative Stories : Gizmodo#creative-zen-neeon-036574#cr

Looks like someone got their hands on a beta version of Windows Mobile 5.0 (2006?) at the CTIA Wireless convention and has posted it on the web.  Not much in the way of pictures or capabilities just yet...I suspect we'll be seeing more soon once people get it on their device, if it is capable of being upgraded.  It is possible the leaked ROM only works on a specific High Tech Computer (HTC) Pocket PC.  I'd love to get my hands on a functional copy of Activesync 4.0!  *sigh* 

[via PhoneMag.com]

MSNBC's Gary Krakow should get his own weekend tech show...he's pretty down to earth and knows his stuff!  I've met him before and next time I see him I'll be sure to push my suggestion. 

At any rate...check out his review of the Audiovox SMT5600 Windows Mobile Smartphone.  The only reason I am posting this is that it seems there are still a number of people out there who haven't heard or seen of this device.  Everyone I know who owns one -hands down- says it is tops.  HTC in Taiwan developed this device that has been a big hit in Europe.  Hopefully we'll see this success spillover into their next round of devices; like the HTC Vivida that Verizon Wireless may carry.

As an aside - what do you guys think about this.  I thoroughly enjoy my Samsung i600 on Verizon Wireless' superior CDMA2000 network.  Simple stuff like email and SMS is fun, while I can even listen to Windows Media 64k streams from Energy Arizona.  My contract with Verizon Wireless is coming up.  I will want to move up to the new Smartphones with Windows Mobile 2006.  However, my faith in Verizon Wireless fielding one of these is muted.  So my question: which do you think is more important?  The carrier you use, or the handset/phone you purchase?  I really like Verizon Wireless, but I'm thinking I may make the switch if they don't have the phone I want/need.

Quote

MSNBC - Smartphone is a minature marvel

This sucker is running the forthcoming Windows Mobile 2006 OS, and all the goodness that entails.  BT capable; Samsung will be selling a stereo BT headset as well.  Assuming it works as good as it looks; i.e. battery issues with a micro harddrive...this is the wave of the future right here.  Our phones & Smartphones will all have large amounts of flash and harddrive storage going forward.  This brings up a whole raft of security concerns...but what the hay; this device looks like a helluva lot of fun!

We're gonna see great things in a month or two when Windows Mobile 2006 launches!

Quote

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=51468&sid=07b1c0491d5535ad49b74d74fdc17dbd

http://www.samsung.com/cebit/

This time it is Rocker Fred Durst...and some explicit sex scenes recorded on his T-Mobile Sidekick.  T-Mobile can't catch a break! (not that it *deserves* one)

Earlier this week, another T-Mobile exploit was announced...this one giving access to your voice mail recordings!  Gizmodo, the source who released knowledge of this new T-Mobile security breach said the reason behind going public with this information was because T-Mobile was excrutiatingly slow in responding to information of the breach.  It seems a lot of celebrities have been sucked up by the T-Mobile marketing gimmicks and are now paying for T-Mobile's lack of security.  There is one upside to all these fumbles by T-Mobile; they'll likely have one of the more secure networks in a couple years when they latch all these holes down.  If they are smart, they won't make these same mistakes twice.

Quote

DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2005®

Ever felt like talking to the Mayor of San Francisco on his home line?  Pauly Shore?  How about Lindsay Lohan?  (310.926.8595)

That's right...somehow, somewhere, Paris Hilton's T-Mobile sidekick account has been hacked.  How many security breaches is this for T-Mobile?  Downright scary...all her pictures and data has been leaked to the public...including lurid new lesbian photos of her with some unknown third party female which I shall not link to.  While this is likely a boost to Paris Hilton; this is some blowback for T-Mobile.  Security must be the top priority...businesses will surely choose more secure networks after yet another high profile hacking.

At least Paris still has her trusty Creative Zen Micro:

The honeymoon hasn't even begun. 

While rumours abound of an iPod Mini update, (the direct competitor to the digital music player that Paris Hilton is rockin; see below) Creative has been planning for the better part of a year to come out with the same capability that DailyEd is talking about.

In January at the Consumer Electronics Show, Creative announced the Zen Micro Photo.  This new device retains all the killer aspects of the original Zen Micro; 12-hr battery life, 3.3" height (a touch SMALLER than the iPod "mini"), and FM tuner while gaining a new 262,144 colour OLED display with a 130x130 resolution.  It won the Best of Show award at CES!  To top it all off...consumers will have the choice of 10 colours to pick from and two storage sizes...5GB and 6GB.  For more on OLED visit http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/O/OLED.html.  This is cutting edge

Quote

"Reliable Sources" Point to iPod Mini Update

A TFT color screen, possibly a 6GB hard drive (although 5GB seems more plausible) - all for $249??? If this is true.. then why the hell would somebody want to buy a Zen Micro?

Sorry Creative.. the honeymoon is over.

Apple is ready to defend their turf at all costs. I don't think companies on the Microsoft side of the fence really think Apple won't budge, yet the company has shown more flexibility in it's pricing, it's strategy -- than any other time in it's 25+ year history.

This isn't your Daddy's Apple.

Take a peek!  T-Mobile UK is preparing to launch three new phones.  Two of them run Windows Mobile 2003 software and the SDA is a Smartphone.  C'mon T-Mobile US!!  What is taking them so long?  I know several people who would snap up the SDA in a hot second...

Quote

T-Mobile : Future Phones

I haven't seen this hit the smartphone circles yet...but Opera 7.60 Tech Preview 2 is out for Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphones!  Included is a much needed favourites functionality.  It also supports multiple windows...which will be interesting to play with.  I'm going to install it on my i600 later today.

Changelog: http://www.opera.com/winmobile/changelogs/760tp2/

Download: http://my.opera.com/forums/showthread.php?s=171a4623a3dd9fed26c6f1af905ae703&threadid=76321

** This is for Smartphones with 2003 only.  No Pocket PCs apply.